It's life but not as we know it: Chris Hadfield shares his experiences in space

Chris Hadfield became an overnight sensation with his rendition of Space Oddity [YOUTUBE]

The astronaut, who became an internet sensation when he beamed down his version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity from the International Space Station, kept more than one million Twitter followers amused with pictures and videos during his five months in space.

He has now shared his observations about life in space in a new book, ‘An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth’, and told the Sun newspaper some of the strangest things he experienced.

There is no need to worry about getting comfortable when you head to bed, says Commander Hatfield – the lack of gravity means that there is no need for a mattress.

“It is immensely comfortable and you relax every muscle,” he says.

“It’s like a baby in the womb.

‘You never have to roll over, you never feel stiff.”

Commander Hadfield spent five months on the International Space Station [GETTY]

The most beautiful place from space is the Bahamas, with all the gorgeous colours of the ocean

Chris Hadfield

You can, however, get a bit more creative when it comes to going to the toilet. Astronauts have to prepare themselves to use camping-style loos (with a wooden seat for a touch of luxury).

“For the number ones there is a long tube with a funnel on the end – and the beauty of that is you can pee upside down,” he says.

“Just because you can, you will.”

For those who hate having to do their washing, a career in space travel could be particularly well-suited. Since without gravity clothes don’t push against the body, they don’t get the chance to get smelly or wrinkle.

Perhaps one of the grimmer aspects of a trip into space is constantly thinking about the next crisis that could occur…and preparing for potentially imminent death.

“You have to sweat the small stuff,” says the Commander, “You have to visualise the disasters.”

Does Commander Hadfield think there is life out there?

“We are probably not alone,” he says, “but it is egocentric to think that out of all those planets they would bother coming here to abduct us and make circles in the crops because we are in some way special.”

In one of Commander Hadfield’s videos he demonstrates how water behaves in space [YOUTUBE]

He is impressed with the special effects on Sandra Bullock and George Clooney’s new film, Gravity, but he says that he and his colleagues didn’t look quite so well-groomed after their space-walks.

“When you take that heavy suit off you look strung out, your hair looks like rat fur.

“But Sandra Bullock comes out in her little underwear and tank top with perfect hair.”

Now that he is back on Earth, Commander Hadfield is surely missing the fantastic views from the Space Station.

Talking about the stunning views he says: “Looking down at Earth, the Sahara desert glows an incredible orange.”

“The biggest variety of colours is in the Australian Outback.

“But the most beautiful place from space is the Bahamas, with all the gorgeous colours of the ocean.”